WHITE HOUSE TOOLKIT: Federal Resources for Addressing School ...

WHITE HOUSE TOOLKIT: Federal Resources for Addressing

School Infrastructure Needs

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 3 I. Available Federal Funds ..................................................................................................... 5

U.S. Department of Agriculture .............................................................................................. 5 U.S. Department of Education................................................................................................5 U.S. Department of Energy ..................................................................................................... 5 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.................................................................................6 U.S. Department of Treasury .................................................................................................. 6 Federal and State Resources for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy .................... 6 Federal Emergency Management Agency ............................................................................ 6 II. Key Tools and Resources ................................................................................................... 7 A. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ................................................................................................... 7 B. Lead Removal ................................................................................................................... 7 C. Energy Efficiency and Power .......................................................................................... 8 D. General Planning and Recognition Resources ............................................................. 8 E. Natural Disasters..............................................................................................................9 F. Contracting and Financing Investments in School Facilities .................................... 10 III. Points of Contact at Federal Agencies and Technical Assistance Opportunities ... 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development .......................................................... 11 U.S. Department of Education..............................................................................................11 U.S. Department of Energy ................................................................................................... 11 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...............................................................................11 Federal Emergency Management Agency .......................................................................... 11 U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ............................................ 12 U.S. Department of Treasury ................................................................................................ 12

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Introduction

Schools should be places where children can thrive. Yet outdated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can make classrooms uncomfortable and expose students and teachers to indoor air pollution that can trigger allergies, asthma attacks, and long-term health problems. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to upgrading school facilities to create healthier learning environments, improve air quality, and lower energy bills for schools around the country.

An unprecedented amount of federal funds is currently available that can support school leaders in making building upgrades. A February 2022 study of school district plans for using the $122 billion in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds shows that school districts will use $9.7 billion to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, with an additional $4.9 billion going towards other improvements to facilities that prevent illness. Overall, more than 24% of funds will go towards keeping schools operating safely. In addition, the $350 billion in U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program may be used by state, local, and Tribal governments to support schools, including improvements or new construction of facilities in certain communities, consistent with program requirements.

The Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also includes funding to improve clean and energy efficient school facilities and school transportation.. This includes $500 million for a new Department of Energy grant program to fund school improvements that reduce school energy costs, improve air quality and teacher and student health, and deploy renewable energy or alternative fueled vehicles and infrastructure (more details in this toolkit). $5 billion is included for a new EPA Clean School Bus Program that offers grants and rebates toward the replacement of older school buses with ones that reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution--including zeroemission, electric buses. $90 billion in Department of Transportation funding is included that can be used for school route projects that make it easier and safer for K-12 students walk and bike to school. Schools can explore additional opportunities across agencies at here.

In March, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a key component of the President Biden's National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, that calls on all building owners and operators ? including schools, colleges and universities, and organizations of all kinds ? to adopt key strategies to improve indoor air quality in their buildings and reduce the spread of COVID-19. We encourage schools to participate in the Challenge by assessing their indoor air quality and make ventilation and air filtration improvements to help keep occupants safe. Schools can learn more here.

To support the most effective uses of these and other funds to address school infrastructure needs, this toolkit reviews the resources related to school infrastructure that can support state educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools in undertaking this work. Local leaders can use this guide to identify sources of live technical support from federal agencies, key technical guides and financial resources, including for:

? Indoor air quality, ? Lead removal, and

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? Energy efficiency. This document is non-exhaustive. Agencies can offer additional information on specific topics upon request (see agency contacts in Section III). This document originally published in March 2022.

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I. Available Federal Funds

U.S. Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development programs can support school infrastructure in rural areas through:

? Community Facilities programs that support essential community infrastructure in rural areas, including schools and school bus acquisition, through loans, grants, and loan guarantees. See .

? Electric programs that provide reliable, affordable electricity in rural areas, including energy efficiency relending in partnership with local utilities for school retrofits, renewable energy installations and charging stations. See .

? Energy programs that support energy audits, renewable energy development, energy efficiency improvements, and installation of renewable energy systems, including for schools. For more information, see .

? Telecommunications programs ? in addition to providing loans and grants to finance rural broadband deployment, the programs offer grants to support distance learning and telemedicine and community-based internet access centers.

? Water and environmental programs that assist rural communities in obtaining technical assistance and financing for safe drinking water and waste disposal systems. See .

U.S. Department of Education

? Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER Funds): Federal funds are available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA), and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. These funds can be used to keep schools open safely, including through investments in school infrastructure, combat learning loss, and address mental health. See and for general program information. On September 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) hosted a webinar, "Using COVID-Relief Funds for Facility Upgrades, Renovations, and Construction." The webinar covered ED guidance on uses of funds for construction, renovations, and upgrades, and included speakers and resources related to indoor air quality from the EPA, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Maine Department of Education, and the Salt Lake City School District. The slides are available at , and the recording is at . In addition, the Department of Education has provided a resource clarifying how COVID-19 education relief funds can be used to improve indoor air quality, available at

? Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds: Federal funds provided through GEER under the CARES Act and CRRSA Act can also support recovery in schools, including school infrastructure. See .

U.S. Department of Energy

? The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities. The IIJA provides $500 million for competitive grants to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative fueled vehicle upgrades and improvements at public schools. Eligible uses include energy efficiency (envelope, HVAC, lighting, controls, etc.), ventilation,

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